Ashwagandha and Its Benefits
Ashwagandha, one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing, has been used since ancient times for a wide variety of conditions, and is most well-known for its restorative benefits. In Sanskrit Ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” indicating that the herb imparts the vigor and strength of a stallion, and has traditionally been prescribed to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness.
Ashwagandha is frequently referred to as “Indian ginseng” because of its rejuvenating properties, even though botanically, ginseng and Ashwagandha are unrelated.
Belonging to the same family as the tomato, Ashwagandha is a plump shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. It bears red fruit about the size of a raisin. The herb is native to the dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East, and today is also grown in more mild climates, including the United States.
Why Use Ashwagandha?
Stress
Fatigue
Lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
The use of the Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha can help alleviate these symptoms and support an energetic and rejuvenating sense of wellbeing.
How does Ashwagandha improve Sexual-Health?
Ashwagandha has a long history in traditional medicines as an aphrodisiac. The Kama Sutra mentions ashwagandha in its literature as a potent sexual stimulant. In India, many natural Ayurvedic herbal aphrodisiac products still contain this herb. In Africa, tribes continue to use it for this same purpose.
Most significantly today, modern scientific studies are exploring ashwagandha’s amorous reputation. Researchers have found that it may be a natural herbal alternative treatment for loss of libido and erectile dysfunction.
For women, taking ashwagandha typically produces an increase in sexual desire and satisfaction. For men, its extracts have the ability to stimulate the production of nitric oxide in the body. This causes a dilatation of the blood vessels that carry blood to the genitals, leading to increased sexual desire.
Ashwagandha for Healthy Aging
Men and women’s reproductive systems respond to aging in different ways. Consuming ashwagandha supports the body’s positive response to the aging process and to maintaining healthy sexual function.
For women, ashwagandha acts on the endocrine system by encouraging hormone balance. A study involving 51 menopausal women supplementing with ashwagandha noted a significant reduction in symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety, and mood.
What Does It Do?
In Sanskrit, ashwagandha actually means "smell of a horse," (yum) which has less to do with the actual smell of the herb and more about its revitalizing properties. This herb was known to give the "strength of a stallion" by Ayurvedic practitioners in India.
As for possible healing properties within natural medicine and holistic treatment, here are some benefits ashwagandha is used for
- Protects & Boost the immune system
- Helps combat the effects of stress
- Improves learning, memory, and reaction time
- Reduces anxiety and depression without causing drowsiness
- Helps reduce brain-cell degeneration
- Stabilizes blood sugar
- Helps lower cholesterol
- Offers anti-inflammatory benefits
- Contains anti-malarial properties
- Enhances sexual potency for both men and women
- Fighting fatigue and boosting energy
- Improving mood
- Heightening focus and mental clarity
- Increasing stamina
What Do You Do With It?
You eat it! Ashwagandha is offered in capsules and powder form most often, but you can also find it in fancy drinks, teas and tinctures, and in certain types of ghee and honey. If you go the capsule route, you can add it into your vitamin or natural supplement routine. Thinking about trying the powders? Make a superfood cocoa or mix it into your smoothie or juice - maybe even a spicy veggie dish! Just want to give it a try before committing? Check out Suja's ginger kombucha with ashwagandha or Rebbl's ashwagandha chai (both of which can be found at Target).
Ashwagandha is all natural and has been used for centuries, but as with everything, be mindful about your use if you start consuming it in larger quantities. Whether you add it to your food as a supplement or start buying products infused with this superherb, it's always a good idea to consult your doctor and/or dietitian before making big changes to your supplement routine.
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